Netherlands Population

Known for its long-standing trade traditions, the Netherlands is one of the world’s most densely populated countries. The Netherlands, as its name suggests, is low-lying and almost a third is below sea level.

Key figures and facts

• Capital: Amsterdam
• Ethnic groups: Dutch 77%, EU citizens 6%, Turks 2%, Moroccans 2%, Indonesians 2%, Surinamese 2%, other 8% (2017)
• Language: Dutch (official), Frisian (official)
• Religion: Roman Catholic 24%, Protestants 16%, Muslims 5%, others 6%, none 50% (2015)
• Population: 17 036 000
• Control Form: Constitutional monarchy
• Area: 41 500 km²
• Currency: euro
• GNP per capita: 50 539 PPP $
• National Day: April 27th

Netherlands Population

The population of the Netherlands in 2017 was estimated at 17 million. The population has grown very rapidly during periods: The population doubled in the period 1835–1910, and again in the period 1910–1967. Later growth has slowed, especially in the 1970s. In the period 1990–2003, annual population growth was estimated at 0.6 percent.

Growth has slowed primarily as a result of falling birth and death rates, but immigration from abroad has also slowed down in recent years.

Population of Netherlands by Year (Historical)

Year	Population	Annual Growth Rate	Population Density	Global Rank
2020	17,134,761	0.220%	508.1516	69
2019	17,097,019	0.220%	507.0323	68
2018	17,059,449	0.220%	505.9182	68
2017	17,021,236	0.240%	504.7849	66
2016	16,981,184	0.250%	503.5971	66
2015	16,938,388	0.310%	502.3280	65
2010	16,682,806	0.380%	494.7484	61
2005	16,367,047	0.550%	485.3843	60
2000	15,926,077	0.590%	472.3069	58
1995	15,467,740	0.660%	458.7144	55
1990	14,965,337	0.620%	443.8152	52
1985	14,513,838	0.510%	430.4255	51
1980	14,148,304	0.670%	419.5853	48
1975	13,683,180	1.030%	405.7915	44
1970	13,001,832	1.200%	385.5855	41
1965	12,248,233	1.360%	363.2368	38
1960	11,448,706	1.340%	339.5260	35
1955	10,709,519	1.300%	317.6047	34
1950	10,041,932	0.000%	297.8067	35

Major Cities in Netherlands by Population

Rank	City	Population
1	Amsterdam	741,525
2	Rotterdam	598,088
3	The Hague	474,181
4	Utrecht	290,418
5	Eindhoven	209,509
6	Tilburg	199,502
7	Groningen	181,083
8	Almere Stad	176,321
9	Breda	167,562
10	Nijmegen	158,621
11	Enschede	153,544
12	Haarlem	147,479
13	Arnhem	141,563
14	Zaanstad	139,974
15	Amersfoort	139,803
16	Apeldoorn	136,559
17	s-Hertogenbosch	134,409
18	Hoofddorp	132,623
19	Maastricht	122,267
20	Leiden	119,602
21	Dordrecht	119,149
22	Zoetermeer	115,734
23	Zwolle	111,694
24	Deventer	97,220
25	Delft	94,949
26	Alkmaar	94,742
27	Heerlen	92,973
28	Venlo	92,292
29	Leeuwarden	91,313
30	Amsterdam-Zuidoost	84,700
31	Hilversum	83,529
32	Hengelo	80,698
33	Amstelveen	79,528
34	Roosendaal	77,614
35	Purmerend	76,634
36	Oss	76,319
37	Schiedam	75,327
38	Spijkenisse	74,877
39	Helmond	74,629
40	Vlaardingen	73,687
41	Almelo	72,614
42	Gouda	71,841
43	Zaandam	71,597
44	Lelystad	70,630
45	Alphen aan den Rijn	70,140
46	Hoorn	68,741
47	Velsen-Zuid	67,647
48	Ede	67,559
49	Bergen op Zoom	66,145
50	Capelle aan den IJssel	65,144
51	Assen	62,126
52	Nieuwegein	61,378
53	Veenendaal	61,160
54	Zeist	60,838
55	Den Helder	59,458
56	Hardenberg	57,798
57	Emmen	56,899
58	Oosterhout	52,996
59	Doetinchem	49,795
60	Kerkrade	49,666
61	Kampen	48,869
62	Weert	48,551
63	Woerden	48,320
64	Sittard	48,289
65	Heerhugowaard	47,469
66	Rijswijk	47,188
67	Middelburg	46,374
68	Emmeloord	46,298
69	Zwijndrecht	45,585
70	Waalwijk	45,499
71	Huizen	45,181
72	Vlissingen	45,162
73	Ridderkerk	45,078
74	Soest	44,910
75	Roermond	44,864
76	Drachten	44,426
77	Heerenveen	42,983
78	Medemblik	41,389
79	Tiel	40,591
80	Harderwijk	40,405
81	Maarssen	39,564
82	Venray	38,936
83	Hoogeveen	38,643
84	Barendrecht	38,561
85	Nijkerk	38,224
86	Voorburg	37,889
87	Beverwijk	37,474
88	Goes	36,820
89	Zutphen	36,077
90	Heemskerk	36,059
91	Wageningen	35,322
92	Castricum	35,145
93	Gorinchem	34,625
94	Uden	34,490
95	IJsselstein	33,775
96	Epe	33,274
97	Sneek	32,700
98	Geleen	32,679
99	Maassluis	32,669
100	Wijchen	32,582
101	Papendrecht	31,510
102	Oldenzaal	31,299
103	Bussum	31,223
104	Valkenswaard	30,960
105	Meppel	30,586
106	Ypenburg	29,889
107	Winterswijk	29,512
108	Boxtel	29,400
109	Brunssum	29,143
110	Leusden	29,104
111	Best	28,963
112	Krimpen aan den IJssel	28,906
113	Delfzijl	28,538
114	Barneveld	28,529
115	Veendam	28,044
116	Groot IJsselmonde	28,009
117	Dronten	27,962
118	Terneuzen	27,819
119	Geldrop	27,789
120	Uithoorn	26,735
121	Culemborg	26,715
122	Dalfsen	26,464
123	Zaltbommel	26,272
124	Werkendam	26,251
125	Zevenaar	25,952
126	Oisterwijk	25,869
127	Leiderdorp	25,855
128	Geldermalsen	25,623
129	Heemstede	25,451
130	Beuningen	25,446
131	Duiven	25,358
132	Dongen	25,353
133	Wassenaar	25,242
134	Veghel	25,241
135	Waddinxveen	25,227
136	Ommoord	25,039
137	Vught	24,932
138	Hoensbroek	24,889
139	Baarn	24,473
140	Noordwijk-Binnen	24,252
141	Diemen	24,250
142	Haaksbergen	24,026
143	Sliedrecht	23,743
144	Steenbergen	23,471
145	Oud-Beijerland	23,458
146	Wierden	23,133
147	Schijndel	23,128
148	Nuenen	23,112
149	Putten	23,057
150	Loon op Zand	22,889
151	Scheveningen	22,889
152	Aalsmeer	22,880
153	Goirle	22,535
154	Voorschoten	22,357
155	Losser	22,320
156	Lisse	22,210
157	Borssele	22,174
158	Volendam	21,889
159	Hellevoetsluis	21,816
160	Elburg	21,733
161	Hoogezand	21,369
162	Brummen	21,233
163	Oegstgeest	21,038
164	Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht	20,916
165	Geertruidenberg	20,830
166	Leerdam	20,647
167	Borne	20,439
168	Heiloo	20,399
169	Elst	20,377
170	Tubbergen	20,223
171	Tegelen	20,079
172	Berkel en Rodenrijs	20,078
173	Raalte	19,904
174	Katwijk aan Zee	19,899
175	Stadskanaal	19,889
176	Cranendonck	19,855
177	Vianen	19,820
178	Tongelre	19,569
179	Leek	19,540
180	Lichtenvoorde	19,479
181	Nunspeet	19,385
182	Wisch	19,385
183	Bodegraven	19,284
184	s-Gravenzande	19,079
185	Aalten	19,030
186	Zeewolde	18,911
187	Benthuizen	18,848
188	Groesbeek	18,630
189	Pijnacker	18,584
190	Driebergen-Rijsenburg	18,442
191	Winschoten	18,395
192	Hillegom	18,308
193	Alblasserdam	18,237
194	Rhoon	18,139
195	Eersel	18,074
196	Bergeyk	18,070
197	Rhenen	17,950
198	Weesp	17,691
199	Naaldwijk	17,642
200	Velp	17,558
201	Middelharnis	17,443
202	Wijk bij Duurstede	17,354
203	Enkhuizen	17,254
204	Urk	17,234
205	Steenwijk	17,027
206	Naarden	17,004
207	Sint-Oedenrode	16,820
208	Zandvoort	16,757
209	Korrewegwijk	16,599
210	Gennep	16,531
211	Bergschenhoek	16,468
212	Merenwijk	16,389
213	Eibergen	16,382
214	Schiebroek	16,194
215	Rijen	16,119
216	Lindenholt	16,010
217	Harlingen	16,008
218	Hoge Vucht	15,889
219	Gemert	15,884
220	Harenkarspel	15,830
221	Staphorst	15,654
222	Sassenheim	15,399
223	Mijdrecht	15,119
224	Boskoop	15,111
225	Dieren	14,731
226	Bennekom	14,699
227	Coevorden	14,489
228	Breukelen	14,387
229	Woudrichem	14,097
230	Lopik	13,902
231	Lombardijen	13,674
232	Vreewijk	13,634
233	Bloemhof	13,604
234	Twello	13,389
235	Dokkum	13,034
236	Grave	12,888
237	Franeker	12,885
238	Joure	12,791
239	Reeuwijk	12,706
240	Heesch	12,699
241	Wolvega	12,619
242	Vaassen	12,608
243	Korvel	12,409
244	Lunteren	12,399
245	Zuidwijk	12,379
246	Rozenburg	12,309
247	Boxmeer	12,296
248	Appingedam	12,253
249	Lochem	12,249
250	Schoonhoven	12,241
251	Vriezenveen	12,199
252	Marsdijk	12,130
253	Bemmel	11,909
254	Klazienaveen	11,808
255	Pendrecht	11,774
256	Hattem	11,765
257	Noordwijkerhout	11,764
258	De Lier	11,712
259	Ommen	11,709
260	Eijsden	11,684
261	Made	11,684
262	Uitgeest	11,683
263	Lunetten	11,568
264	Goedereede	11,486
265	Monster	11,469
266	Laren	11,397
267	Camminghaburen	11,389
268	Doesburg	11,369
269	Goor	11,349
270	Woudenberg	11,194
271	Stein	11,179
272	Carnisse	11,114
273	Opmeer	11,072
274	Oosterbeek	11,027
275	Prinsenbeek	10,609
276	Someren	10,579
277	Hoogland	10,476
278	Oosterpark	10,439
279	Bleiswijk	10,438
280	Zierikzee	10,372
281	Oirschot	10,282
282	Borculo	10,262
283	Doorn	10,219
284	Spangen	10,174
285	Ermelo	10,144
286	Hatert	10,099
287	Eerbeek	9,992
288	Lemmer	9,939
289	s-Gravenland	9,889
290	Leesten	9,889
291	Haelen	9,824
292	Bloemendaal	9,789
293	Halsteren	9,739
294	Oudewater	9,725
295	Bladel	9,674
296	Liesveld	9,656
297	Burgum	9,609
298	Voorthuizen	9,599
299	Asten	9,424
300	Nieuw-Lekkerland	9,424
301	Beilen	9,384
302	Veldhuizen	9,349
303	Renkum	9,310
304	Mierlo	9,294
305	Hoek van Holland	9,289
306	Haren	9,264
307	Strijen	9,260
308	Statenkwartier	9,189
309	Kudelstaart	9,139
310	Oosterwolde	9,134
311	Warnsveld	9,089
312	Bolsward	9,049
313	Lent	9,049
314	Heeze	8,999
315	Bargeres	8,949
316	Zaandijk	8,929
317	Huizum	8,889
318	De Bilt	8,834
319	Heerde	8,739
320	Scherpenzeel	8,709
321	Arcen	8,682
322	Slikkerveer	8,639
323	Kapelle	8,559
324	Sint Willebrord	8,544
325	Princenhage	8,424
326	Vroomshoop	8,369
327	Beek	8,304
328	Sappemeer	8,187
329	Axel	8,038
330	Emmer-Compascuum	8,019
331	Lindenheuvel	7,929
332	De Kruiskamp	7,914
333	Rijnsburg	7,879
334	Heeswijk-Dinther	7,874
335	Ouderkerk aan de Amstel	7,844
336	Budel	7,784
337	Hilvarenbeek	7,744
338	Angelslo	7,729
339	Oosteinde	7,669
340	Bedum	7,654
341	Neede	7,619
342	Groenewoud	7,599
343	Bolnes	7,539
344	Udenhout	7,539
345	Heer	7,504
346	Oude Pekela	7,469
347	Tholen	7,364
348	De Greiden	7,359
349	Broekhoven	7,309
350	Rheden	7,289
351	Edam	7,269
352	Emmerhout	7,264
353	Honselersdijk	7,255
354	Limmen	7,189
355	Stiens	7,189
356	Feijenoord	7,164
357	Teteringen	7,119
358	Elsloo	7,109
359	Nederweert	7,094
360	Meerhoven	7,064
361	Randenbroek	7,020
362	Zuidhorn	6,964
363	Reusel	6,944
364	Gorredijk	6,929
365	Roden	6,919
366	Hengstdal	6,899
367	Vaals	6,859
368	Hasselt	6,848
369	Vleuten	6,834
370	Abcoude	6,809
371	Delden	6,809
372	Delfshaven	6,724
373	Zundert	6,724
374	Overschie	6,599
375	Panningen	6,599
376	Peelo	6,524
377	Raamsdonksveer	6,479
378	Kerkdriel	6,469
379	Yerseke	6,430
380	Scharn	6,429
381	Amby	6,424
382	Selwerd	6,414
383	Berghem	6,389
384	Den Burg	6,374
385	Heino	6,348
386	Eelde	6,339
387	Waalre	6,334
388	Heythuysen	6,309
389	Leersum	6,274
390	Orden	6,274
391	Woudhuis	6,264
392	De Doornakkers	6,234
393	Bunnik	6,204
394	De Drait	6,199
395	Gilze	6,189
396	Druten	6,159
397	De Heeg	6,144
398	Driemanspolder	6,139
399	Kortenhoef	6,139
400	Muiden	6,112

Urbanization

The Netherlands has the highest population density in Europe, apart from the small states. It nevertheless switches sharply between the regions. About 90 percent of the population lives in cities and towns.

Particularly strong is the urbanization in an annular area in the west, Randstad Holland, which is an almost interconnected chain of cities along the edge of the green center in the provinces of Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland. Here are the biggest cities (2018): Amsterdam (854 047), Rotterdam (638 712), The Hague (532 561) and Utrecht (347 483). Other major industrial centers are Eindhoven (229,126) in Noord-Brabant, Groningen (202,810) and Arnhem (157,223) in Gelderland.

Minorities

Among the residents of foreign origin there are many from the former colonies of the Netherlands. One of these groups is the Ambonese, who have roots in Ambon in Indonesia. They would not accept Achmed Sukarno’s dissolution of Indonesia’s federal structure and fled to the Netherlands when the colonial rule ceased. Another larger group of immigrants has roots in Suriname: When this country became independent in 1975, many feared poverty and distress and went to the Netherlands. By the way, the Netherlands has many immigrants from Turkey and Morocco.

In the north of the Netherlands, in the province of Friesland, the Frisians live, and in the post- World War II period these had to fight to get Frisian language and culture recognized.

Language

The official language is Dutch. In the province of Friesland, Frisian is the official language next to Dutch.

In addition to the Dutch standard language, the language has some dialects. In the province of Groningen, the original Frisian language has been supplanted by Lower German (in the Netherlands called Saxon). Lower German is also the spoken language in the provinces of Drenthe and Overijssel.

In Noord- and Zuid-Holland the dialect is Dutch, except in a part of Noord-Holland, where the dialect is a mixture of Frisian and Dutch. The Flemish dialect is spoken in the southern part of Zeeland (Zeeland Flanders), in Brabant Brabant, Brabant and Limburg Limburg.

The dialect differences in Dutch can be very large, and different dialects are often not mutually intelligible.

Largest Cities (2018)

City	Residents
Amsterdam	854 047
Rotterdam	638 712
The Hague	532 561
Utrecht	347 483
Eindhoven	229 126

Provinces

Province	Capital	Area 1 (km²)	Residents (2017)
Groningen	Groningen	2344	583 211
Friesland	Leeuwarden	3361	647 497
Drenthe	Assen	2652	491 830
North Netherlands	–	8357	1 722 000
Overijssel	Zwolle	3337	1 151 827
Flevoland	Lelystad	1426	411 409
Gelderland	Arnhem	4995	2 059 641
Oost-Nederland	–	9758	3 622 900
Utrecht	Utrecht	1356	1 295 535
Noord-Holland	Haarlem	2660	2 833 398
South Holland	The Hague	2860	3 679 072
Zeeland	Middelburg	1792	382 305
West-Netherlands	–	8668	8 190 300
Noord-Brabant	‘S-Hertogenbosch	4938	2 528 936
Limburg	Maastricht	2167	1 117 801
South Netherlands	–	7105	3 646 800

¹⁾ Land area